Consumer Question: Are hormones in my milk and meat making my kids bigger?
03/10/2011A recent inquiry from a concerned parent was submitted to Best Food Facts on the topic of the effect hormones in meat and milk products may be having on her children as well as on society in general. Here is the inquiry:
"Do hormones in meat and milk products make our children bigger? Not fat, just bigger? Two of my children, both big meat eaters, are very large. My son is 6‘ and my 12 year old daughter is 5’8” My husband is 5’11” and I’m 5’6”. Our daughter that has never been a big meat eater is 5’4’. When my son was still at home, we’d go through 17 gallons of milk in 2 weeks. Do the hormones have anything to do with this?"
We asked Dr. Terry Etherton, Distinguished Professor of Animal Nutrition and Head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Penn State University, to respond. Dr. Etherton is an internationally recognized expert for his research in the area of endocrine regulation of animal growth and nutrient metabolism and is one of the foremost experts in the world on the biology of porcine and bovine somatotropin action in pigs and dairy cattle.
"The overwhelming scientific evidence indicates that there is no increased health risk from consuming…
"Do hormones in meat and milk products make our children bigger? Not fat, just bigger? Two of my children, both big meat eaters, are very large. My son is 6‘ and my 12 year old daughter is 5’8” My husband is 5’11” and I’m 5’6”. Our daughter that has never been a big meat eater is 5’4’. When my son was still at home, we’d go through 17 gallons of milk in 2 weeks. Do the hormones have anything to do with this?"
We asked Dr. Terry Etherton, Distinguished Professor of Animal Nutrition and Head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Penn State University, to respond. Dr. Etherton is an internationally recognized expert for his research in the area of endocrine regulation of animal growth and nutrient metabolism and is one of the foremost experts in the world on the biology of porcine and bovine somatotropin action in pigs and dairy cattle.
"The overwhelming scientific evidence indicates that there is no increased health risk from consuming…
Fertilizers, Fruits and Vegetables - Oh My!
02/28/2011Question: "Assuming due care is taken to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables prior to eating them, do plants retain any chemical residue from fertilizers or herbicides, thus making them dangerous to eat?"
Answer per Dr. Ruth MacDonald (Iowa State University's professor and chair of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition):
No. The use of chemicals on edible plants is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and producers must follow guidelines regarding how much and when they are applied. These chemicals have been tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine the safe limits allowed in foods and the food supply is regularly tested to evaluate the residual amounts that are being consumed. Trace amounts of chemical residues are likely to be present in foods, some of which will be from agricultural use, but others are from a variety of sources including air or water pollution. Washing of fruits and vegetables prior to eating will eliminate surface contamination. You can review the amount and types of chemical found in foods at the FDA website.
Answer per Dr. Ruth MacDonald (Iowa State University's professor and chair of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition):
No. The use of chemicals on edible plants is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and producers must follow guidelines regarding how much and when they are applied. These chemicals have been tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine the safe limits allowed in foods and the food supply is regularly tested to evaluate the residual amounts that are being consumed. Trace amounts of chemical residues are likely to be present in foods, some of which will be from agricultural use, but others are from a variety of sources including air or water pollution. Washing of fruits and vegetables prior to eating will eliminate surface contamination. You can review the amount and types of chemical found in foods at the FDA website.
Tahini - Shelf Life and Storage
02/16/2011Here's a recent inquiry from a Best Food Facts reader as well as a response from Dr. Tong (Toni) Wang, Professor in the department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University.
Inquiry:
How long will tahini last after opened and should it be stored in the refrigerator?
Expert response:
If the tahini is made like it is in oriental countries – using roasted seeds – it can be quite stable. It can last one to two years under refrigeration, based on my personal experience. Although sesame seed oil is made up of about 40% highly oxidizable linoleic acid (an unsaturated fatty acid - also know as omega-6 acid), the paste is actually amazingly stable. I expect it to be quite stable even if stored (after opening) at room temperature. Personally, though, I always refrigerate it.
Meatless Mondays: Expert and Consumer opinions
02/08/2011Meatless Mondays is a topic that has gained public notoriety over the last few years, and in recent weeks especially. We wanted to know what consumers thought about the idea, and thankfully, they weren't shy about sharing their feelings. As well, we wanted to see what one of our food system experts, a Registered Dietician, had to say about the campaign.
We asked consumers, 'How do you feel about Meatless Mondays.' Out of the 274 responses received, nearly 20 percent of the respondents fully support the concept while nearly half said they support a balance of all types of food, including meat. One-third of the respondents indicated meat should be a regular feature in their diet.
Here is a sampling of what the survey respondents had to say, in their own words:
Too many children do not get enough food. I think we should focus on that instead of Meatless Mondays. Encouraging people to go meatless as a pathway to better health is irresponsible use of inconclusive studies. I would rather see “sugarless Saturdays” or “eat local one day a week” to promote less carbon and healthier kids. This is not a moral issue for animals, no matter how much we may love them. This is an issue of personal…
Small vs. Large Farms - Are Animals Treated Differently?
02/01/2011Many people have opinions, even concerns, about today's agriculture, especially when it comes to the well-being of animals. We asked three experts to analyze a statement and write a white paper that considers all angles and determine, based on research and their expertise, how much truth there is to the statement. The statement is as follows:
"The well-being of farm animals on larger operations is disregarded in the pursuit of higher profits."
View the responses from Dr. Patricia Hester, Dr. Ed Pajor and Dr. Emily Patterson-Kane, by clicking here.
Photos courtesy of Farmers Feed US
"The well-being of farm animals on larger operations is disregarded in the pursuit of higher profits."
View the responses from Dr. Patricia Hester, Dr. Ed Pajor and Dr. Emily Patterson-Kane, by clicking here.
Photos courtesy of Farmers Feed US
Will eliminating farm subsidies contribute to a decline in U.S. public health issues? Alston responds.
01/26/2011Obesity and diabetes rates in the United States are higher than ever before, and caught in the middle are millions of Americans who are trying to make the best decisions for their family's dinner table. What is driving this phenomenon? Food System Expert Dr. Julian M. Alston, from the University of California-Davis, examines one theory which some believe to be a driver of these serious health issues.
Check out Dr. Alston's analysis of the claim: "A major cause of high and rising obesity rates is the fact that food has become much more abundant and cheaper, mainly because of farm support and subsidy programs. Eliminating farm subsidies would contribute significantly to reducing obesity and associated health problems such as diabetes."
